Music Matters: Live music summary

ABOUT: Leslie Adele, the powerhouse vocalist for A Nickel Bag of Funk, will shock you with her range and rhythm in covering intimidating songs like “Killin’ Me Softly” by the Fugees. “Killing Me Softly” is actually a crowd favorite, she admits.

“Personally, I’m sick of performing it, but people still enjoy hearing it, so I sing it for them with all I’ve got. If that’s what they want, I’ll give it to them as many times as they ask.”

She also bravely covers songs by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Duke Ellington and does so beautifully, adding her own soul and depth to the songs. Adele also writes her own music and says she prefers to perform these songs about “love of course; wanting it, searching for it, finding it, losing it, wanting it back, being [filtered word] off at it, not wanting it back, and making myself believe I’m better off without out it.”

Her rich voice and strong stage presence seems ready for stadium-size venues, yet soul fans can enjoy her March 18 show at the intimate Tantra Lounge. Adele explains that shows at Tantra are special because “we love playing there and people love to see us there. I think we’ve given some of our best performances on that stage. Also, the fact that we are so interwoven into the fabric of Tantra and Tantra is so interwoven into our history as a band, it’s like we “come home” when we play there. Rachel (Tantra’s owner) has watched this band “grow up” and I’ve watched Tantra grow and establish itself as the place to be in Savannah.”

Adele’s passion about continually growing as an artist and establishing the band as a worldwide household name is evident; she wants the band to “take over the world!’’

“I mean, if you don’t do it for that reason, it’s just a hobby. I want people in London, to sing my songs. I want to be on stage in Singapore and have people know the words to “Shake That Leg.” My goal is to be able to travel the world with my music and share it with as many people as possible.”

The band describes its music as “an eclectic mix of jazz, soul, rock, R&B, gospel, and most importantly the funk.”

Currently promoting its 2010 album Melodic Schizophrenic (which aptly describes the band’s wide range of interests and talent), A Nickel Bag of Funk currently has 18 shows lined up throughout this region until August. Although the band has ran into their share of obstacles and has changed members frequently, Adele feels that they are in a great place right now.

“The A Squad [Anthony (Jones), Jermaine (Baker) and Javenn (Edwards)] have elevated the sound of this band to a place that’s so soulful and collectively the instrumental technique is far superior than it has ever been. When I think we have peaked, they find a way to raise the bar higher and challenge me to step my game up. I love it! A Nickel Bag of Funk has gone from having really good crowds coming to see us, to having a line down the block to get in to Tantra, to packing Wild Wings by 10 p.m. (when the show doesn’t start until 11), to going on tour and performing with internationally known artists, and Grammy Award nominees. All this has taken place since The A Squad came along.”

Go see A Nickel Bag of Funk to support a local talent that is geared for greatness. For more information and to hear tracks, visit the band’s page at http://www.facebook.com/anickbag.